Cartimar-rific!

under the sea replicas (saltwater aquarium)

Looking for plants, shoes and pets in just one place? Cartimar is it. We went there to look for arowanas. Here’s an interesting side story. My husband’s parents have a pet arowana which took a suicidal dive out of its own aquarium. I can’t believe it, the first time I heard it. It’s a case of an oversized arowana inside a rectangular aquarium-prison. Apparently, the fish is sick and tired of its having to swim in a small aquarium. It took the matter into its own hands. After mustering the courage to do something no fish has ever done before, it gathered all the strength it needs to jump out of its cell. It succeeded in its attempt. So it was given a decent funeral – somewhere in the garden. The aquarium looks so empty, both figuratively and literally. So there, off to Cartimar. It is always a delight for me to go there. There’s so much to see.

Fishes and shells in various colors, shapes and sizes. Shoes, specially those sporty looking ones, in different hip styles.

Shells in various shapes and sizes

 Plants – orchids and cacti - are my favorites. Water fountains (we used to make these as a sideline business), but those in the stalls are more complicated to make and definitely bigger than the tabletop ones.

orchids are plentiful

cactuses

If you’re looking for pets, there are dogs and a couple of Persian and Siamese cats, all so cute and somewhat giving that please-buy-me-so-I-can-get-out-of-here look. Lovebirds, pigeons, turtles – name it.

lovebirds are just some of the pets you can bring home

I hope we can go back here again, but this time minus the arowana suicide story.

HOW TO GET THERE:
If you're coming from Monumento, the fastest way would be to take the LRT. Alight at Gil Puyat Station. You can walk from there (long walk) or you can board a jeep with Cartimar signage or any jeep going to Baclaran. Ask the driver to drop you off Cartimar.